Officials: Joint operation of park a 'viable option'

Following a meeting with officials from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, city and county representatives say the two local governments will be working together to keep the Big Spring State Park — which has been targeted for closure by the state — open and operating.

County Judge Mark Barr said Friday he feels like it's certainly a viable option for the city and county to work together to keep the facility, which has been a Big Spring landmark and tourist destination for many years, from falling prey to state budget cuts.

“After talking to Scott (Boruff) with TPWD and seeing some of the operating costs, I feel like it's certainly a viable option for Howard County and the city of Big Spring to step in and keep the park from being closed,” Barr said Friday following the the meeting. “In a situation like this, you're faced with the choice of closing it or working out an arrangement to help fund it. There's still a lot of things that have to be discussed, but I think it's certainly a viable option.”

Mayor Tommy Duncan agreed with Barr's assessment of the meeting, saying the two governments will do everything possible to keep the state park open.

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